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The Hong Kong Flower Show 2013, organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD), will be held at Victoria Park from 9am to 9pm daily from tomorrow (March 15) until March 24.
This year's flower show features the dendrobium as its theme flower and "Kaleidoscope of Spring" as its theme.
More than 350 000 flowers, including 10 000 pots of dendrobium representing some 10 cultivars, will transform Victoria Park into a colourful wonderland throughout the show period.
Over 200 organisations from 18 countries, namely Australia, Belgium, China, Estonia, France, Germany, Indonesia, Japan, Thailand, Malaysia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Pakistan, the Philippines, Singapore, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States, will showcase exotic flowers, landscapes and floral art displays.
The LCSD will also present a spectacular exhibit, "A Kaleidoscope of Spring in the Vibrant City". The design is a gigantic flower in bright and beautiful colours, symbolising Hong Kong as a gleaming Pearl of the Orient. The main body, which includes the calyx, the corolla, the stamen and the pistil of the gigantic flower design, is made up of 50 000 stems. The corolla part uses mirrors strategically placed to reflect the calyx section to create a kaleidoscopic effect. The centre of the flower design comprises two revolving parts moving in opposite directions, with the stamen and pistil forming one, and the corolla forming the other.
The popular sea of tulips is bewitchingly beautiful this year with its multi-tiered design. Measuring 34 metres in length and 18m wide, the tulip display is dressed up with flowers of different colours at different tiers, and provides an opportunity for leisure viewing and photo-taking.
Other main attractions include a mosaiculture display entitled "Nature's Kaleidoscopic Beauty", showcasing an insect world in spring with flowers in bloom; the Brand Hong Kong floral wall made up of colourful plants; a fun display of lovely farmers together with their agricultural produce; and a wish-making corner with a vibrant floral display.
Special plant exhibits including Dendrobium officinale and Dendrobium huoshanense are also on display. Both plants have medicinal value.
The dendrobium, a herbaceous perennial of the genus Dendrobium in the family Orchidaceae, is found throughout Asia, Australia, New Guinea and New Zealand, from tropical forests to the Himalayan highlands. It comes in a great many species. There are approximately 1 200 species of dendrobium worldwide.
The dendrobium is noted for its attractive flower with colours ranging from yellow, white, orange, yellow-green and pink to purple-red. Unique in form, the flowers are zygomorphic with three sepals at the outer layer, three petals at the second layer and one column in the centre.
In horticulture, the plant is generally divided into two groups, namely spring-flowering and autumn-flowering, according to growth habits and flowering seasons. Some species have fragrance. They can be used as cut flowers or grown as potted or hanging plants in the house. Certain species even have medicinal value.
A rich diversity of educational and recreational fringe activities will also be organised for the enjoyment of visitors of all ages. They include music and cultural performances, floral art demonstrations, cooking demonstrations, plant maintenance workshops, green stalls, guided visits, recreation programmes and fun games.
Admission tickets for the Hong Kong Flower Show 2013 are available now until March 24 at the LCSD's District Leisure Services Offices and leisure venues with Leisure Link services, except for water sports centres. Tickets will also be sold at the entrance to the Victoria Park showground throughout the show period. Octopus cards can also be used to pay for admission.
Admission fees for the flower show are as follows:
* Normal rate: $14
* Children, students and senior citizens aged 60 or above: $7
* Persons with disabilities and their minders (each person can enjoy the concessionary rate with one minder only): $7
Concessionary rates from Monday to Friday:
* Free admission for senior citizens aged 60 or above.
* Free admission for persons with disabilities and their minders (each person can enjoy the concessionary rate with one minder only).
* Adults in a group of 30 persons or above will be admitted at half rate.
For enquiries, please call 2601 8260, fax 2691 7264 or visit the LCSD webpage www.lcsd.gov.hk/green/hkfs/2013/en/index.php.
Ends/Thursday, March 14, 2013
Issued at HKT 17:07
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